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Rohan and Toni Milne convinced by The State Buildings

Rohan and Toni Milne in their new store at the State Buildings.
Picture: Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d451343

ONE glance inside The State Buildings was all it took to convince Rohan Milne to expand his business in to the city.

The Leederville-based Rohan Jewellery owner was in New York when he received an email from FJM, which restored the buildings, inviting him to look at one of the vacant retail spaces.

“I wasn’t looking at opening a store in the city… we’re a boutique business,” Mr Milne, of Coolbinia, said.

Several more weeks passed before the father of two decided to have a “quick look” at the space.

“I walked through into this room here (the foyer) and was amazed, blown away; it’s got such a sense of heritage and a European feel,” Mr Milne said.

“Within a few hours I’d organised to have the house re-valued so we could secure it.”

Mr Milne said he had spent a lot of money on new products and had made “bigger, showier pieces”.

“The first thing we sold was a pair of pearl and nugget (gold) earrings,” he said.

“We’ve had people come through who never would have come to Leederville.

“The level of clientele in the building is perfect for us, it’s the perfect fit.

“Everyone (in the building) feeds off each other.”

Mr Milne said as well as attracting new clients, including tourists from the adjoining Como The Treasury hotel, clientele from the Leederville shop found it convenient to drop in to the city store during work hours or on Sundays.